“I split him open” – Johnny Sexton recalls huge fight with Irish teammate
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Altercation.
Frustration can boil over in elite sport, and even the best aren’t immune — something Johnny Sexton has openly admitted to in his autobiography, Obsessed.
The former Ireland captain, who retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, writes about some of the intense moments of his career in the book — including a training-ground altercation with Leo Cullen during his early days.
The incident came at a time when Sexton was battling for the No.10 jersey and struggling with the disappointment of being left out in favour of Ronan O’Gara.
Writing in Obsessed, Sexton admits things escalated quickly after Cullen grabbed him at a ruck.
“He grabbed me at a ruck, and I slapped his arm away aggressively,” Sexton recalls.
“It happened again, and I swung again. He slapped me in the face, and that’s when the red mist descended.”
What followed was a full-blown clash between teammates.
“I grabbed him by the collar and started swinging like mad. People tried to drag me back but I lost the rag altogether. I split him open, just above the eye.”
Sexton acknowledges it was completely out of character — particularly given the respect he had for Cullen at the time.
“I’m sure I took him by surprise. We were very close, after all. He was my club captain, and I had massive respect for him.
“I’m sure it took everyone by surprise. Not my finest hour.”
Thankfully, the pair were able to put the incident behind them, with Cullen accepting Sexton’s apology in the aftermath.
It’s another reminder of the edge that has defined Sexton’s career — a player who demanded the highest standards, even if it occasionally tipped over the line.
